Creeks Bishop bowls over defenses

Published 7:00 pm, Wednesday, October 29, 2003

The 6-foot, 180-pound Bullock Creek fullback has put up big numbers with each passing game. The senior has been a big reason why the Lancers are 7-2 and play Friday night in the MHSAA football playoffs at Tawas.

The 6-foot, 180-pound Bullock Creek fullback has put up big numbers with each passing game. The senior has been a big reason why the Lancers are 7-2 and play Friday night in the MHSAA football playoffs at Tawas.

"When you look at his numbers, its amazing," Creek coach Darren Kalina said. "We have over 40 touchdowns as a team and hes had 20. Hes almost half our offense."

Bishop and the rest of the Lancers are ready for playoff football.

"Were pumped up, everyone is excited," Bishop said. "Practice is fun, everyone is screaming the whole time. Were trying to just have fun. When youre having fun, you play better."

Bishop is one of the top rushers in the area with 1,560 yards. But the season didnt start that way.

In the first three games, Bishop averaged just 85 yards per contest. Using the speed of Adam Rider, the Lancers often ran outside.

But as opposing defenses began to focus on stopping the sweep, running Bishop between the tackles became relatively easy.

"About the fourth game of the season, we put in the belly series just for Jake," Kalina said. We felt that he could run between the tackles. Rider is fast but hes only a sophomore and about 155 pounds. We needed to get the fullback running off tackle."

"Thats the big point of our offense," Bishop said. "Once they take away the outside we go inside. If they take away the inside, then we go outside."

In the fourth game of the season, Bishop racked up 221 yards on 24 carries and three touchdowns in a 42-28 victory over Hemlock. That was just the beginning.

Bishop has topped the 100-yard mark in each of the last six games. His most explosive game was a 324-yard, four-touchdown performance in a big 32-31 win over Merrill.

"I wanted to go out there and just do my best," Bishop said. "I got a lot of carries this year and I wasnt expecting that."

He also ended the season with 267 yards and five touchdowns against Bridgeport. A week earlier, he topped the 200-yard plateau against a Swan Valley squad that is also headed for the playoffs.

"Hes a good, tough, strong kid," Kalina said. "He plays football like it should be played. We know that we can count on him."

Bishops inside running and Riders outside running have made the Lancers offense incredibly difficult to stop.

"Everyone still knows Rider is out there," Kalina said. "When they load up to stop the sweep, it helps Jake up the middle and off tackle. The last few weeks, teams have really sold out on stopping the sweep."

Bishop laid the groundwork for a successful season last year. Playing in the shadow of Neihl Owen, Bishop had a pair of 100-yard rushing games. His running helped the Lancers finish 6-4 and make their first playoff appearance in six years.

The Lancers, however, suffered a tough 28-22 loss to Gladwin in the opening round. Bishop called the loss a learning experience.

"We had a couple of penalties that hurt us in the beginning of that game," Bishop said. "We gained some playoff experience from it. That loss made us want to win this game even more. For our seniors its our last chance.

"We pretty much have to go hard on every play and hope for the best," Bishop said. "Everyone has to do their jobs and go fast. Thats the emphasis of the week (to go fast)."